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Exodus 17 · Grade 5

Rock and Banner

Name Date

Read and Think

At Rephidim the people's thirst turns into a quarrel. Their question, Is Yahweh among us, or not?, reveals unbelief despite the pillar of cloud overhead. The place names Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarreling) became reminders of this failure (Psalm 95:8-9; Hebrews 3:8). Yet God graciously stands on the rock as Moses strikes it, and water flows. Christians have read this as a picture of Christ, since Paul writes that the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4), who was struck so that living water could flow to His people (John 7:37-39).

The battle with Amalek is Israel's first war. Joshua, mentioned here for the first time, leads the army, while Moses intercedes on the hill with God's rod. The rise and fall of the battle with Moses' hands teaches that victory comes from God, not merely from military strength.

When Moses grows weary, Aaron and Hur support him, a beautiful picture of shared ministry and prayer. Moses records the event and builds an altar named Yahweh-Nissi, Yahweh our Banner. A banner was a rallying flag in battle. God Himself is the one His people rally around. Christians have read this as a picture of Christ, who always lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25).

Show What You Know

  1. What do Massah and Meribah mean?

  2. What does Paul say about the rock?

  3. What did the rise and fall of Moses' hands teach?

  4. What was a banner used for?

  5. How is Christ a better intercessor than Moses?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

altarGodrock
  1. Yet God graciously stands on the as Moses strikes it, and water flows.
  2. Moses records the event and builds an named Yahweh-Nissi, Yahweh our Banner.
  3. Himself is the one His people rally around.

Think About It

  1. How can you pray for others like Moses did, and support leaders like Aaron and Hur?

  2. What does it mean for God to be your banner?

Memory Verse

“But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.”

Exodus 17:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you trust God's presence when needs are not met?
  • How can you encourage someone who is tired?
  • How can you remember God's past victories?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.